Canfor Southern Pine, a leading integrated forest products company, will invest $40 million to upgrade its existing sawmill in Camden, Kershaw County, South Carolina.

A leading manufacturer of high-quality Southern yellow pine lumber, Canfor Southern Pine operates 14 manufacturing locations in the Southern U.S. In addition to its Camden facility, the company has operations in Conway, Darlington and Marion, South Carolina, with corporate offices in Myrtle Beach. Canfor currently employs approximately 650 people throughout South Carolina.

The company’s Camden facility has been in operation since 1983 and manufactures dimension lumber. To accommodate its continued growth, Canfor will be installing a new planer mill, as well as new equipment throughout the sawmilling operation to address critical areas that limit production capacity. The expansion will begin this year and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2019.

“We appreciate the commitment of both the state and local governments. Their partnership was critical in the decision process of the board as they move forward with the $40 million capital investment,” said Canfor Southern Pine President Fred Stimpson.

“The Camden facility has always been one of our top-performing mills. This $40 million capital investment will increase capacity by 50 percent, making it our highest-producing facility in the Southern U.S. The project will also further enhance our first quartile performance in safety and quality. With this major investment, the Camden plant will continue to be a stable and significant employer in this region, paying good wages and benefits to our valuable employees,” Canfor Southern Pine Vice President of U.S. Operations (East) Keith McGregor added.

“South Carolina’s pro-business environment and abundance of natural resources make it a perfect fit for a firm like Canfor Southern Pine. I congratulate the company leadership on this exciting new investment and thank them for their continued commitment to our state,” said Governor Henry McMaster.

“Our forestry industry is a thriving part of South Carolina’s economy, and it’s a thrill to see one of our longtime existing industries expanding in South Carolina. I look forward to supporting Canfor Southern Pine as they continue to make a positive impact in our state,” Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt added.

“Canfor’s expansion is a boon for the state’s already-strong forest products manufacturing sector and reflects the company’s confidence in the future of South Carolina’s well-managed timberland. The abundance of fast-growing and privately-managed wood in South Carolina makes the Palmetto State ripe for these kinds of capital investments, which is also good news for family forest owners,” S.C. State Forester Scott Phillips said.